"She has acted as a surrogate mother to leopards, lions and orangutans and has done the same with these baby white tigers."

"She gives them a bottle and lies with them - she is a great assistant."

TIGERS has bred and reared many rare and talented animals. This year they unveiled their latest "liger" cub - bred from a lion father and a tiger mother.

The institute has 45 big cats, including white-and-red-striped golden tabby tigers - one of the rarest big cat breeds.

There are also bears, other primates and an African elephant.

Dr Antle concludes: "People think it is dangerous to get so close to wild animals but the handlers have been with them since they were cubs and have developed a special friendship based on love and respect."